2026 VA disability compensation rates.
Monthly VA disability pay by rating and dependents. Plus: how a service-connected rating waives the VA loan funding fee and boosts your qualifying income.
| Rating | Veteran alone | + Spouse | + Spouse & child | + One child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $176 | $176 | $176 | $176 |
| 20% | $347 | $347 | $347 | $347 |
| 30% | $537 | $600 | $648 | $579 |
| 40% | $774 | $859 | $923 | $830 |
| 50% | $1,102 | $1,208 | $1,287 | $1,172 |
| 60% | $1,396 | $1,524 | $1,619 | $1,480 |
| 70% | $1,759 | $1,908 | $2,018 | $1,856 |
| 80% | $2,045 | $2,215 | $2,341 | $2,156 |
| 90% | $2,298 | $2,490 | $2,631 | $2,423 |
| 100% | $3,831 | $4,045 | $4,201 | $3,974 |
Rates effective December 1, 2025 (payments received starting January 2026). Illustrative — verify against VA.gov for official amounts. Rates for 30%+ ratings with additional dependents (parents, more than one child, aid & attendance) require the full VA lookup.
If you have any VA rating
Your VA loan funding fee is waived.
A service-connected disability rating of any percentage — even 10% — completely waives the VA loan funding fee. On a $400,000 purchase with 0% down, that's ~$8,600 you keep at closing on a first-use loan (2.15% funding fee), or ~$13,200 on subsequent use.
Frequently asked questions
When do 2026 VA disability rates take effect?+
New VA disability compensation rates take effect December 1 of each year, aligned with the Social Security COLA. December 1, 2025 rates apply to payments received in January 2026 and remain in effect through November 2026.
Does any VA disability rating waive the VA loan funding fee?+
Yes. A service-connected disability rating of any percentage (even 10%) waives the VA loan funding fee entirely. Purple Heart recipients and surviving spouses receiving DIC also qualify for the waiver.
Does VA disability compensation count as income for a VA loan?+
Yes. VA disability compensation is treated as stable, tax-free income by VA underwriters. Because it's tax-free, it's often 'grossed up' by 25% when calculating debt-to-income ratios, effectively increasing your qualifying income.
How does 100% VA disability affect VA loan qualification?+
A 100% disability rating maximizes tax-free income, waives the funding fee, and may qualify you for additional state-level property tax exemptions. Combined, these can meaningfully increase how much home you qualify for.